Hiking Big Rock Nature Trail
Part of Fort Mountain State Park, the Big Rock Nature Trail is marked with a yellow trail blaze.
The trail is a moderately rough and graveled short loop trail which can get difficult as it approaches the falls.
Nevertheless, the excellent views along the way provide immediate calmness and relief as you approach the top of the trail.
The wildlife surrounding the habitat adds beauty to the scenery as the cascading water provides superbly soothing effect.
Starting at the graveled parking lot at the left of the trail, set off the trail just right after crossing the lake.
Continue towards the cool forest and you head towards an old roadbed.
Approaching the intersection of the Gahuti Backcountry Trail (marked with orange blaze), take the path at the right side of a wooden bridge as you will not cross the bridge at all.
Descending further into the mountain, you will reach a series of fairly easy switchbacks.
The trail then swerves back around the ridge, a 300-foot ascent starts at Gold Mine Creek's rapid cascades.
As the creek cascades down the ridge, it is worth the pause to appreciate the scenery before continuing with the trek.
Gold Mine Creek was formed deep within Fort Mountain and this consequently shaped Fort Mountain Lake.
The water then leaves from the lake as it begins a downhill plunge that marks at 2,000 feet off the mountain.
Climbing up the river, you will come across winding paths between rocks and natural footpaths.
Then it leads you to a difficult extended climb up the top of the trail.
The top of the trail is where the Gahuti Trail and Big Rock Trail go their separate ways as the Gahuti Trail crosses left, over the creek via a small wooden bridge.
Big Rock Nature Trail, on the other hand, leads a climb up the mountain as its path remains nearby the creek.
As you move farther away from the creek, you will emerge to an open field which is actually the base of the dam.
Here you will find bird feeders and a viewing deck to the left side of it.
On the way back, pass through the open field and move forward to the Fort Mountain Dam's west side road.
The exit path returns to the parking lot where you have first started by crossing the road at the right side after emerging from the dam.
The trail is a moderately rough and graveled short loop trail which can get difficult as it approaches the falls.
Nevertheless, the excellent views along the way provide immediate calmness and relief as you approach the top of the trail.
The wildlife surrounding the habitat adds beauty to the scenery as the cascading water provides superbly soothing effect.
Starting at the graveled parking lot at the left of the trail, set off the trail just right after crossing the lake.
Continue towards the cool forest and you head towards an old roadbed.
Approaching the intersection of the Gahuti Backcountry Trail (marked with orange blaze), take the path at the right side of a wooden bridge as you will not cross the bridge at all.
Descending further into the mountain, you will reach a series of fairly easy switchbacks.
The trail then swerves back around the ridge, a 300-foot ascent starts at Gold Mine Creek's rapid cascades.
As the creek cascades down the ridge, it is worth the pause to appreciate the scenery before continuing with the trek.
Gold Mine Creek was formed deep within Fort Mountain and this consequently shaped Fort Mountain Lake.
The water then leaves from the lake as it begins a downhill plunge that marks at 2,000 feet off the mountain.
Climbing up the river, you will come across winding paths between rocks and natural footpaths.
Then it leads you to a difficult extended climb up the top of the trail.
The top of the trail is where the Gahuti Trail and Big Rock Trail go their separate ways as the Gahuti Trail crosses left, over the creek via a small wooden bridge.
Big Rock Nature Trail, on the other hand, leads a climb up the mountain as its path remains nearby the creek.
As you move farther away from the creek, you will emerge to an open field which is actually the base of the dam.
Here you will find bird feeders and a viewing deck to the left side of it.
On the way back, pass through the open field and move forward to the Fort Mountain Dam's west side road.
The exit path returns to the parking lot where you have first started by crossing the road at the right side after emerging from the dam.
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